Creative Strategy Director – Sparkling Flavors, Africa

What You will Do

• Creative Strategy Lead will focus primarily on developing the creative strategy for the respective category.
• Responsible for the creation and delivery of high-quality strategy, idea and concepts (and final execution elements for ‘Hero’ content) of the brand’s plan. The role is responsible for the preparation of the final recommendations presented for decision at each stage of Creative content approval.
• Leading the creative strategy and development cross marketing sub-functions (including but not limited to Design, Connections, Consumer & Shopper Engagement, Digital, Media)
• Work with counterparts in other Operating Units to help develop and execute a cohesive brand/category Creative Strategy
• The Creative Strategist is the Leader of the full Category Content team and is responsible for thought leadership and capability building across the Operating Units Category team in all aspects of Content development.
• Authoring and aligning key stakeholders to Integrated Marketing Experience briefs; leading agency briefings and identifying innovative ways to measure the effectiveness of brand campaigns.
• Building the storytelling of the brand, ensuring consistency and strategic continuity through various forms of content amplified at multiple connection points
• Translating and amplifying the Global Core Creative Ideas for Global and regional (where not lead Operating unit) brands into contemporary communications, that mobilize the Coca-cola system, positions the brand for future growth and excite consumers to build Brand Love ( i.e. Equity) and Brand Value (Transactions, Weekly+ Consumers, Baskets etc)
• Develop exciting/powerful Core Creative Ideas for Regional Brands (as Lead Operating unit) and local brands, anchored on consumer insight
• Ensuring that all expressions of the brand are in consistence with the Brand Essence and Architecture
• Relentlessly challenging for more innovative brand experiences
• Working with the respective Operating Units Brand Team/s to develop a vision and growth strategy for the respective brand / platform; expected to provide input on investment recommendations
• Working with counterparts in other Operating Units to help develop and execute cohesive brand/category Creative Strategy
• Working with Operating Unit Human Insights Team to define the killer insights that lead to the most powerful Creative Strategies

Role Requirement

• Bachelors Degree
• +10 years of marketing and leadership experience in a creative strategy role
• Experience working in cross-functional and cross-geographical teams is preferred
• Agency experience is an added advantage
• Proven ability to communicate both verbally and in written form in a way that engages and inspires key internal and external stakeholders including agency partners.
• Good understanding of consumer, cultural trends, current and future business needs
• Ability to lead overall Integrated Marketing Experience / Communication strategies.
• Ability to collaborate and create a ‘network’ across disciplines to open new, innovative spaces for brand growth based on consumer insights, cultural trends and current and future business needs.
• Excellent people leadership skills, particularly the ability to coach and develop others and create a cohesive, focused team
• Ability to manage complex timelines and manage/influence multiple stakeholders
• Ability to manage Direct Marketing Expense resources for maximum efficiencies and return on investment